Fly the South African Flag! Photo: Media Club South Africa
The quarter finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup are here and all South Africans are being urged to take part in a national march to make sure that the second half of this great tournament starts with a BANG!
Some notable corporate companies, as well as the Department of Arts and Culture, Gauteng Province and Gauteng Tourism have asked South Africans to take to the streets tomorrow, 3 July, and wave their flags in what they call the Million Flags March.
Artslink said in a press release: “All citizens of the country are urged to wake up with the same spirit that we showed on 9 June when the crowds gathered in Sandton and other parts of the country to raise the flag for Bafana Bafana two days before the kick-off on 11 June. The benefits of the World Cup in most countries go down in their history books long after the first kick-off. How we treat our visitors, engage with them and ensure their safety in our country is crucial to the county’s tourism efforts.”
Photo: Henti Smith via Flickr
A specific route is planned for the march in Soweto. It will begin at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital via Maponya Mall, then to Jabulani Mall, Dobsonville Mall, Meadowlands to Protea Gardens Mall, then end at the FIFA Fan Fest in Elkah stadium in Soweto.
But in all parts of the country people are called on to wave the South African flag in support of their country’s hosting of the World Cup. The flags of other participating countries are also welcome as South Africans should continue to support the remaining teams in the tournament, even though Bafana Bafana have gone out with their heads held high. And of course blowing the phenomenal vuvuzela is encouraged!
More about the South African flag:
South African soccer fans wave their flags. Photo: Steve Evans via Flickr
The South African flag was designed by State Herald Frederick Brownell and was adopted on 27 April 1994, during the first democratic election in the country. According to Media Club South Africa the flag was first flown on 10 May 1994 – the day Nelson Mandela became president.
The “Y” shape of the flag symbolises the coming together of people from different racial, cultural, religious, political and linguistic backgrounds to form one united nation.
When displayed, the black triangle is meant to be on the left and the red band is meant to be on top. The South African flag is the only six coloured flag in the world and one of the youngest.
Wavin’ Flag
One of the official songs of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is “Wavin’ Flag”, sung by Somali-Canadian artist K’naan, who has lived through the Somali Civil War. It was originally written in honor of the victims of the 2009 earthquake in Haiti. K’naan
joined hands with a group of Canadian artists in a fundraiser video called “Young Artists for Haiti.”
You can watch the World Cup Celebration Mix of the song below to get you in the mood for waving your flag tomorrow!
Creative Consulting & Development Works thinks the Million Flags March is an great initiative to sustain the amazing spirit of nationhood that has been felt in South Africa since the start of this tournament. We will be sure to fly our flags tomorrow!
